June 2009 - AMSAT-BB - mailman.amsat.org

Re: Pots for 5400 or 5500?
by John Price 17 Jun '09

17 Jun '09

I looked around on the net for a substitute 500 ohm pot for the rotor. I finally called Yaesu and got tech support after a long wait. The potentiometer in the 5400, 5500 and 5600 are the same part. The order department still has the old number for the 5400 which caused them to say they did not stock them anymore. Here is the part number and price for the pot. #S8101823 Price $12.35 That should settle the question about fixing the control box or the rotor. 73's << John On Wed, Jun 17, 2009 at 12:54 PM, Peter Sils <kd0aa(a)yahoo.com> wrote: > John, > > TNX 4 the info!!! > > 73 Peter KD0AA > > --- On *Tue, 6/16/09, John Price <n4qwf1(a)gmail.com>* wrote: > > > From: John Price <n4qwf1(a)gmail.com> > Subject: Re: Pots for 5400 or 5500? > To: "Peter Sils" <kd0aa(a)yahoo.com>, amsat-bb(a)amsat.org > Date: Tuesday, June 16, 2009, 6:04 PM > > Short of it is I don't know. I don't have a 5500. I would suggest you call > Yaesu @ 1-714-827-7600 and ask if part #Q9000404 is listed for that rotor. > They can answer that question for you. While you are at it as I did not > think to ask would you inquire if they have any info on who made the > potentiometer in the AZ and EL rotors for them and do they have a > manufactures part number for it. I believe they are the same part. I am sure > there are lots of folks here that would like that info. > > Thanks << John > > On Tue, Jun 16, 2009 at 1:02 PM, Peter Sils <kd0aa(a)yahoo.com<http://us.mc398.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=kd0aa@yahoo.com> > > wrote: > >> Hi John, >> >> I have a 5500 - are they the same pots? >> >> Part # and price would be appreciated! >> >> TNX in advance OM!! >> >> 73 Peter >> >> >> Date: Mon, 15 Jun 2009 18:16:12 -0400 >> From: John Price <n4qwf1(a)gmail.com<http://us.mc398.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=n4qwf1@gmail.com> >> > >> Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Yaesu 5500 >> To: n8bbq(a)roadrunner.com<http://us.mc398.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=n8bbq@roadrunner.com>, >> amsat-bb(a)amsat.org<http://us.mc398.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=amsat-bb@amsat.org> >> Message-ID: >> <8d1b8e80906151516w34fc90edraaebbddfbd66c632(a)mail.gmail.com<http://us.mc398.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=8d1b8e80906151516w34fc90edraae…> >> > >> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 >> Hey, I called Yaseu to order the pots and have 6 coming. Why so many >> you ask? I was going to order a few of the pots for the rotor as well >> while I was at it and found out they no longer stock them. If you have >> a 5400 I would call Yaesu and get some of the control box pots while >> they are still available. I have the phone number and part number if >> you need it. >> 73's << John >> >> > > > -- > N4QWF Amateur Radio Operator > AO-7,AO-27,FO-29,SO-50,AO-51,VO-52,ISS > Email N4QWF(a)AMSAT.ORG<http://us.mc398.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=N4QWF@AMSAT.ORG> > Echolink nodes #110903 -L #388463 > http://home.comcast.net/~n4qwf/site/<http://home.comcast.net/%7En4qwf/site/> > Formerly KC4AHW VK3FEZ > Amsat Member #27845 > DXCC #33,478 > VUCC SAT #135 > WAS SAT #296 > 51 on AO-51 #13 > LON -79.256 LAT 37.459 Grid FM07il > From the Foothills of the Blueridge > > *Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving > safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, > thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming - "WOW, What a > ride!" > > > -- N4QWF Amateur Radio Operator AO-7,AO-27,FO-29,SO-50,AO-51,VO-52,ISS Email N4QWF(a)AMSAT.ORG Echolink nodes #110903 -L #388463 http://home.comcast.net/~n4qwf/site/ Formerly KC4AHW VK3FEZ Amsat Member #27845 DXCC #33,478 VUCC SAT #135 WAS SAT #296 51 on AO-51 #13 LON -79.256 LAT 37.459 Grid FM07il >From the Foothills of the Blueridge *Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming - "WOW, What a ride!"

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ZS2BK heard in GI84ow
by ps8rf ps8 17 Jun '09

17 Jun '09

Hello All, I would like to inform to all, one more surprise by AO-7. Yesterday ( Orbit: 58267 - 16/06/2009 - 20:15:22 UTC) I heard the station of Andre, ZS2BK, in cw, via AO-7 in GI84ow. The distance is 4805 miles (7694 km). Congratullations Andre. A little more than the contact ( ssb ) that was made with Jean-Jacques, ON7EQ. According to Roland, PY4ZBZ, the area of coverage of AO7 is approximately 7,904 Km. The contacts are close to the limit of A0-7. I hope soon keep in cw (or perhaps ssb ) contact with Andre and are open to any Sked way AO-7 or another satellite. Thanks all . The recording began at 20:14:47 (UTC) and 20:15:22 (UTC) heard the first signal cw, in the frequency of 145.940 MHz, the last sign I heard 20:15:52 UTC. A file with the rx audio was added in youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8JUyIIi0s4I Best regards 73 Piraja, PS8RF _________________________________________________________________ Conheça os novos produtos Windows Live! Clique aqui. http://www.windowslive.com.br

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ZS2BK heard in GI84ow
by ps8rf ps8 17 Jun '09

17 Jun '09

Hello All, I would like to inform to all, one more surprise by AO-7. Yesterday ( Orbit: 58267 - 16/06/2009 - 20:15:22 UTC) I heard the station of Andre, ZS2BK, in cw, via AO-7 in GI84ow. The distance is 4805 miles (7694 km). Congratullations Andre. A little more than the contact ( ssb ) that was made with Jean-Jacques, ON7EQ. According to Roland, PY4ZBZ, the area of coverage of AO7 is approximately 7,904 Km. The contacts are close to the limit of A0-7. I hope soon keep in cw (or perhaps ssb ) contact with Andre and are open to any Sked way AO-7 or another satellite. Thanks all . The recording began at 20:14:47 (UTC) and 20:15:22 (UTC) heard the first signal cw, in the frequency of 145.940 MHz, the last sign I heard 20:15:52 UTC. A file with the rx audio was added in youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8JUyIIi0s4I Best regards 73 Piraja, PS8RF _________________________________________________________________ Emoticons e Winks super diferentes para o Messenger. Baixe agora, é grátis! http://specials.br.msn.com/ilovemessenger/pacotes.aspx

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ZS2BK heard in GI84ow
by ps8rf ps8 17 Jun '09

17 Jun '09

Hello All, I would like to inform to all, one more surprise by AO-7. Yesterday ( Orbit: 58267 - 16/06/2009 - 20:15:22 UTC) I heard the station of Andre, ZS2BK, in cw, via AO-7 in GI84ow. The distance is 4805 miles (7694 km). Congratullations Andre. A little more than the contact ( ssb ) that was made with Jean-Jacques, ON7EQ. According to Roland, PY4ZBZ, the area of coverage of AO7 is approximately 7,904 Km. The contacts are close to the limit of A0-7. I hope soon keep in cw (or perhaps ssb ) contact with Andre and are open to any Sked way AO-7 or another satellite. Thanks all . The recording began at 20:14:47 (UTC) and 20:15:22 (UTC) heard the first signal cw, in the frequency of 145.940 MHz, the last sign I heard 20:15:52 UTC. A file with the rx audio was added in youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8JUyIIi0s4I Best regards 73 Piraja, PS8RF _________________________________________________________________ Descubra todas as novidades do novo Internet Explorer 8 http://brasil.microsoft.com.br/IE8/mergulhe/?utm_source=MSN%3BHotmail&utm_m…

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U bracket for G-5400/G-5500
by Ramon Gonzalez 17 Jun '09

17 Jun '09

Hello, I have a brand new, never used U bracket for a G-5400/G5500 rotor. I purchased this after I purchased a Kenpro rotor that had the bracket missing, but I ended up never using it. If anyone out there needs one, send me a private email. Thanks.

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CP6 Decoding
by James Denneny 16 Jun '09

16 Jun '09

I am troubleshooting a CP-6 decoding problem. I have excellent copy on CP-6. Keps are good. Signal is strong but no decode. Equipment is IC-910H and AEA DSP2232. I checked everything out with APRS FM copy on 144.390 using hyperterminal - good copy in FM packet. PC & TNC use com 3 - 9600,8.N,1 to communicate. PC flowcontrol is hardware. DSP2232 is set for MOD p12 (p1 1200bps). I do not see any TNC lockup during data bursts. Radio is set for LSB when tracking CP-6. I even tried using hyperterminal connection in lieu of CP-6 decoder. NADA What am I missing? Jim K7EG

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Field Day 2009
by Bruce 16 Jun '09

16 Jun '09

Don't forget, Murphy is going to make an unexpected visit to many field day sites this year. Be prepared, have a backup of your backup. For complete field day rules, visit amsat.org http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/awards/amsatfd.php Also, there will be a special station on the air. My friend Keko, TI5KD, will be on the operating as TI5A. Not only will it give you another contact but for some it will be a new grid and a new country. 73...bruce -- Bruce Paige, KK5DO AMSAT Director Contests and Awards ARRL Awards Manager (WAS, 5BWAS, VUCC), VE Houston AMSAT Net - Wed 0100z on Echolink - Conference *AMSAT* Also streaming MP3 at http://www.amsatnet.com Podcast at http://www.amsatnet.com/podcast.xml or iTunes Latest satellite news on the ARRL Audio News http://www.arrl.org

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That was quick!
by Leroy Stenzel 16 Jun '09

16 Jun '09

Sorry, folks. The accessories I offered went quickly. Leroy, W5VG

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Garmin GPS12 data and power cable
by Leroy Stenzel 16 Jun '09

16 Jun '09

My Garmin GPS12 was destroyed in a freak accident. Its power and data cable is available free if you can use it. I will send to the first one who asks. Contact me direct - not on the BB. 73 to all, Leroy, W5VG AMSAT #2916

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Alinco DJ-580 Accessories
by Leroy Stenzel 16 Jun '09

16 Jun '09

My Alinco DJ-580 met with a terrible accident and is no longer with us. Seriously, the radio was destroyed in a freak mishap. I have the following accessories that I will send to you free if you can use them: Alinco EDC-43 12-volt power cable assembly Alinco EDC-24 battery charger for ni-cad batteries Alinco floor plate (battery cover) for use when operating the radio without batteries EarTalk remote microphone and earpiece with PTT for the DJ-580 I will send to the first request I receive - respond direct to me - not thru BB. I'll let you know when they are gone.

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Re: Yaesu 5500
by John Price 16 Jun '09

16 Jun '09

OK, Phone # 1-714-827-7600 Part #Q9000404 73's << John On Tue, Jun 16, 2009 at 2:54 AM, Edward Cole <kl7uw(a)acsalaska.net> wrote: > John, > > Please send me the phone number and part number. MY B5400 has been not in > service for a couple years and I hope it works well when I get it back up > this summer. But probably good insurance to have some pots. > > 73, Ed - KL7UW > > At 02:16 PM 6/15/2009, you wrote: > >> Hey, I called Yaseu to order the pots and have 6 coming. Why so many >> you ask? I was going to order a few of the pots for the rotor as well >> while I was at it and found out they no longer stock them. If you have >> a 5400 I would call Yaesu and get some of the control box pots while >> they are still available. I have the phone number and part number if >> you need it. >> >> 73's << John >> >> On Mon, Jun 15, 2009 at 9:20 AM, <n8bbq(a)roadrunner.com> wrote: >> > John, >> > >> > Guess I should have mentioned that I have seen a problem with a dirty >> calibration pot. But to explain your symptoms, they would both have to be >> dirty. If the unit was stored for a while, maybe that is the case. >> > >> > '73 - de Ed N8BBQ >> > >> >> >> >> -- >> N4QWF Amateur Radio Operator >> AO-7,AO-27,FO-29,SO-50,AO-51,VO-52,ISS >> Email N4QWF(a)AMSAT.ORG >> Echolink nodes #110903 -L #388463 >> http://home.comcast.net/~n4qwf/site/<http://home.comcast.net/%7En4qwf/site/> >> Formerly KC4AHW VK3FEZ >> Amsat Member #27845 >> DXCC #33,478 >> VUCC SAT #135 >> WAS SAT #296 >> 51 on AO-51 #13 >> LON -79.256 LAT 37.459 Grid FM07il >> >From the Foothills of the Blueridge >> >> *Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of >> arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to >> skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly >> proclaiming - "WOW, What a ride!" >> _______________________________________________ >> Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. >> Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! >> Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb >> > > -- N4QWF Amateur Radio Operator AO-7,AO-27,FO-29,SO-50,AO-51,VO-52,ISS Email N4QWF(a)AMSAT.ORG Echolink nodes #110903 -L #388463 http://home.comcast.net/~n4qwf/site/ Formerly KC4AHW VK3FEZ Amsat Member #27845 DXCC #33,478 VUCC SAT #135 WAS SAT #296 51 on AO-51 #13 LON -79.256 LAT 37.459 Grid FM07il >From the Foothills of the Blueridge *Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming - "WOW, What a ride!"

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Re: My first contact - almost
by Gordon JC Pearce 16 Jun '09

16 Jun '09

On Mon, 2009-06-15 at 23:07 +0000, kd8bxp(a)aol.com wrote: > Well thanks to everyone who gave me helpful hints and ideas > I did almost make a contact today! Well done! Good fun, isn't it? ;-) > I know I got into the SO50 today at about 11:10 - 11:11 est (local time) I heard some one give my call back and a brief report > > Unfortuntally at the same time doppler shifted on me and I wasn't fast > enough to keep up > > I am using a th-d7ag and unfortunally there is not a way to program > the odd band split in memory (at least not that I have found) so no > matter what you have to hit two buttons. Anyways I diegress I wouldn't be hugely surprised if the TH-D7 is similar to the TH-F7 which I use. I got into a technique of flipping between A and B to transmit or tune Doppler. In the higher parts of the pass the range is changing relatively slowly and SO-50 should hang about more-or-less on frequency for a good couple of minutes. One of the mistakes I was making early on was not tuning far enough for Doppler, and the other was changing too quickly. It doesn't shift as fast as you might think. For the most part you won't have to worry about Doppler on transmit, but on receive it makes a huge difference. Well actually - on VHF you don't have to worry, on UHF it makes a difference. If you're using the ISS crossband repeater, that has its input on UHF and then you leave the receiver alone and tune the transmitter - much more fiddly because you *must* listen to the downlink to get it right! Headphones make all the difference, too - it's much easier to spot the change in noise when you're on the satellite. When it's transmitting received noise, you can hear it has a distinctly different tone to "empty sky". Congratulations on your first contact on the satellites! Gordon MM3YEQ (*still*, hurry up Ofcom)

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Using D710 to work the sats?
by racer5039 15 Jun '09

15 Jun '09

I have been playing with my homebrew antennas and the D710 I have in the van to try and work AO-51 portable and get ready for field day. The first setup in the driveway was a pretty high pass and I couldn't hear a thing. My next try was out in the country. I had the D710 hooked up again and it seemed to be deaf. There was a fellow ham there with an 817. when we hooked it up to the 436 homebrew cheep antenna, it could hear quite well. Better than the Elk antenna that I just got in fact. My question is the D710 that tight on the rec. that its not going to hear the sat if I am off frequency a little? Is there anyone on the board that is using or has used the D710 to work any of the FM sats? if so, can you e-mail me off the board with any input you may have on this set up. I'd really like to be able to work field day and I am running out of time. Thanks Marv N0FJP

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Re: Your Almost First Sat Contact
by claryco＠aol.com 15 Jun '09

15 Jun '09

Hi Leroy, Yes, that was me on the other end. I was doing a portable operation in a parking lot in Viola, Delaware / FM29 at that time. Your signal was plenty strong; too bad the Doppler got the better of you. I know the feeling all too well! I recorded the comms and can send it to you if you'ld like to hear what you sounded like from space! Welcome to the birds! 73, Jim, ND9M / VQ9JC Martinsburg, WV / FM19 Date: Mon, 15 Jun 2009 23:07:45 +0000 From: kd8bxp(a)aol.com Subject: [amsat-bb] My first contact - almost To: "amsat bb bb" <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> Well thanks to everyone who gave me helpful hints and ideas I did almost make a contact today! I know I got into the SO50 today at about 11:10 - 11:11 est (local time) I heard some one give my call back and a brief report Unfortuntally at the same time doppler shifted on me and I wasn't fast enough to keep up I am using a th-d7ag and unfortunally there is not a way to program the odd band split in memory (at least not that I have found) so no matter what you have to hit two buttons. Anyways I diegress I replayed my recording serveral times and think - I think The man who came back to me was ND9M in FM29 (delaware) Which would be cool if it was - I was not able to complete the contact - so that doesn't really count does it After all of my frustration thou I am still chulking this one up to a WIN!! I would like to confirm somehow that it was ND9M that heard me So I am posting here :-) Thanks again to all who have helped! LeRoy, KD8BXP

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Re: My first contact - almost
by Rick - WA4NVM 15 Jun '09

15 Jun '09

Hi LeRoy and all, You are correct on Jim, ND9M in FM29 on that pass. I worked him from my mobile at 1509utc (1109 eastern) on that pass of S0-50. If I had been at home, I would have had a recording to give you also. Welcome to the birds! Hang in there, it only gets better. 73, Rick - WA4NVM > Well thanks to everyone who gave me helpful hints and ideas > I did almost make a contact today! > > I know I got into the SO50 today at about 11:10 - 11:11 est (local time) I > heard some one give my call back and a brief report > > Unfortuntally at the same time doppler shifted on me and I wasn't fast > enough to keep up > > I am using a th-d7ag and unfortunally there is not a way to program the > odd band split in memory (at least not that I have found) so no matter > what you have to hit two buttons. Anyways I diegress > > I replayed my recording serveral times and think - I think > The man who came back to me was ND9M in FM29 (delaware) > Which would be cool if it was - > I was not able to complete the contact - so that doesn't really count does > it > > After all of my frustration thou I am still chulking this one up to a > WIN!! > > I would like to confirm somehow that it was ND9M that heard me > So I am posting here :-) > > Thanks again to all who have helped! > > LeRoy, KD8BXP > Sent on the Now Network from my Sprint® BlackBerry > > -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > _______________________________________________ > Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. > Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! > Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb >

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Re: AO-51 Basement operation!!!
by Nader Omer 15 Jun '09

15 Jun '09

HI OM Luc & all GE Congratulation! Steve Ford WB8IMY worte once in QST:- No matter how long you've been licensed,there's nothing to compare with the pure joy of accomplishment! good luck Luc Nader , st2nh www.st2nh.com

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Re: Yaesu 5500
by John Price 15 Jun '09

15 Jun '09

Hey, I called Yaseu to order the pots and have 6 coming. Why so many you ask? I was going to order a few of the pots for the rotor as well while I was at it and found out they no longer stock them. If you have a 5400 I would call Yaesu and get some of the control box pots while they are still available. I have the phone number and part number if you need it. 73's << John On Mon, Jun 15, 2009 at 9:20 AM, <n8bbq(a)roadrunner.com> wrote: > John, > > Guess I should have mentioned that I have seen a problem with a dirty calibration pot. But to explain your symptoms, they would both have to be dirty. If the unit was stored for a while, maybe that is the case. > > '73 - de Ed N8BBQ > -- N4QWF Amateur Radio Operator AO-7,AO-27,FO-29,SO-50,AO-51,VO-52,ISS Email N4QWF(a)AMSAT.ORG Echolink nodes #110903 -L #388463 http://home.comcast.net/~n4qwf/site/ Formerly KC4AHW VK3FEZ Amsat Member #27845 DXCC #33,478 VUCC SAT #135 WAS SAT #296 51 on AO-51 #13 LON -79.256 LAT 37.459 Grid FM07il >From the Foothills of the Blueridge *Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming - "WOW, What a ride!"

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Re: New to SAT ? BB (one week)
by Nader Omer 15 Jun '09

15 Jun '09

Steven, Welcome to AMSAT BB Check Mike's DK3WN website http://www.dk3wn.info/satellites.shtml for more info about Oscar satellites ,And his SatBlog http://www.dk3wn.info/p/ for Oscar and cube sat uptoday activities. good luck , Nader , st2nh www.st2nh.com h ? Could I please ask ? how many SATs are currently active carrying transponder for amateur radio voice communication. ? And the designators as called (such as AO-7, AO-51 etc) and which SATs are linear (SSB / CW) and non linear (FM) ? Regards, Stephen ZL1TPH ?

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SATs currently active......
by Call Sign 15 Jun '09

15 Jun '09

Steven, Try using this site for the most current satellite activity as reported by other HAMS: http://oscar.dcarr.org/ also, add to it as you go along and for other and additional satellite info use all the links you are getting, here on the board and at AMSAT, Google, etc., the info is out there, its just not all in one place and there is a lot of old info laying around to confuse you, as well! 73 Rich KI6RRQ San Diego, CA. > -----Original Message----- > From: amsat-bb-bounces(a)amsat.org [mailto:amsat-bb-bounces@amsat.org] On > Behalf Of Julie & Stephen > Sent: 15 June 2009 07:05 > To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org > Subject: [amsat-bb] Satellites operation > > New to SAT ? BB (one week) > > Could I please ask ? how many SATs are currently active carrying > transponder for amateur radio voice communication. > > And the designators as called (such as AO-7, AO-51 etc) and which SATs are > linear (SSB / CW) and non linear (FM) > > Regards, > Stephen ZL1TPH

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Re: Satellites operation
by G0MRF＠aol.com 15 Jun '09

15 Jun '09

In a message dated 15/06/2009 11:40:18 GMT Standard Time, n3tl(a)bellsouth.net writes: AO-7 - Mode B mid-passband is 432.150 mHz up/145.950 mHz down. FO-29 - Mode J mid passband is 145.950 mHz up/435.850 mHz down. VO-52 - Mode B mid passband is 435.250 mHz up/145.900 mHz down. Doppler, of course, also will affect the CW/SSB satellites. Welcome to the satellites! Very best 73s, Tim - N3TL I wonder if, for the newcomer, the term U/V etc may be easier to understand than a seemingly arbitary letter that you then need to research to understand what band your uplink and downlink should be on. David

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AMSAT BOD Nominees
by Martha 15 Jun '09

15 Jun '09

Per the AMSAT bylaws, those individuals nominated to serve a 2 year term for the AMSAT Board of Directors are: Barry Baines, WD4ASW Alan Biddle, WA4SCA Drew Glasbrenner, KO4MA Tony Monteiro, AA2TX Bill Ress, N6GHZ -- Ballots should be in the mail by July 15th. 73- Martha

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An amazing AO-7 QSO last week, Brazil to Belgium
by Mark Lunday 15 Jun '09

15 Jun '09

Brazil to Belgium. Hey Tim, N3TL, you have been doing some of this type of planning with great success. What is the longest QSO you have achieved? What tools are you using for planning on the low passes? Your efforts are fascinating and we would like to know more. http://www.southgatearc.org/news/june2009/ao7_brazil_belgium_contact.htm Mark Lunday WD4ELG <mailto:wd4elg@arrl.net> wd4elg(a)arrl.net <http://wd4elg.net> http://wd4elg.net

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AO-51 Basement operation!!!
by Luc Leblanc 15 Jun '09

15 Jun '09

Hi I just try AO-51 V/S mode this morning 0700am pass. I was checking a new S band beam and it was a success nearly all the fades disappear comparing to my former WMAX beam. But i was not able to uplink to the satellite only to discover a frightening flaw in my setup i was transmitting in the same VHF port that i used for my 2.4GHZ downconverter. Too early in the morning and probably not awaken enough i immediately stopped transmitting and OH surprised the DC does not blow up? But what about the 847 finals...they survive about 10 transmission... In the middle of the pass and the DC still working i cannot switch my rig/antenna fast enough i take my HT DJ-580T with his rubber duck antenna and i punch the uplink frequency then and i called Doug KD8CAO who was calling in the void since the beginning of the pass and at the same time i heard my downlink he answered me back...My Alinco was at 5W. But the amazing part "i was in my basement..." It is a living proof that the hard part is the receiving side. My last basement record was on AO-16 50w on a dual band mobile antenna on a metal file cabinet. P.S. i will buy a lotto ticket today i feel the stars where on my side this morning:) "-" Luc Leblanc VE2DWE Skype VE2DWE www.qsl.net/ve2dwe WAC BASIC CW PHONE SATELLITE

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Re: equal time
by Adrian Engele 15 Jun '09

15 Jun '09

Tim, N3TL, we worked several times during my trip.( I just saw your post.... I have too have amnesia sometimes ;)I have your QSL cards and you are in my Log from my Trip. I agree with most of what you said but I think you misinterpreted my use of the word "sport". I meant it in the context of working the same stations over and over again, from a fixed station to another fixed station. A satellite in the end it is just a repeater with the added limit of a small working window and the usual Doppler shift. Perhaps we should call it the "art" instead of "sport" of working a satellite. I know you have perfected it very well and I have enjoyed reading many of your posts as I am locationally challenged at home living in an apartment in Chicago. Not conducive to working the birds unfortunately.... I checked QRZ.com and many of the stations I worked had similar setups to mine. Pretty much an HT and small antenna: Arrow or Elk. Also it was never my intent to hog any of the satellites for the duration of my operations. That would not be the spirit of a "True Satelliteer!" (a quote from WB2OQQ) There were many stations who needed EK99 but never managed to get through. I just wanted to make a few stations happy for a new one. I had the option of going full power but I chose not to on the FM birds. Perhaps I should next time. I am already looking forward to my vacation next year, planned from Hawaii as of now. Now that is going to an operational challenge. Sebastian, W4AS, thanks for your kind words and the opportunity to work you to. I sure wish I had your setup. I live in an apartment in Chicago so few opportunities to operate from a fixed location. I agree K5D could have done a better job in their satellite operations. At minimum a simple rotor and even a fixed antenna at 15 degrees with a two radios on all the current satellites would have worked better and would have probably provided more operators the chance to work K5D. A fulll blown setup with an AZ/EL rotor and doppler tracking would have been the perfect setup considering all the other equipment that was brought to the K5D DXpedition. It would be interesting to understand what planning was done for satellites operations for K5D. I won't speculate. FM satellites may not be the ideal satellites for a DXPedition but not everybody has the gear to work the linear brids. I think it comes down to the DX operator. FM satellites can be worked on a DXpedition. I had some pile ups on numerous passes and I was able to work many stations with some discipline and good ears. It takes an operator with contesting experience to work a pile up and maintain order. Still it is very challenging especially on such operations as K5D. Not sure what to do in the future. I agree with Tim, everybody has their own motivation on the birds. Some go after VUCC, some like to ragchew, some like to say good morning or good day to their friend a few states over, some like to chase DX, some to work new or a new rare gris, some like to be DX or be a in new grid. What ever the motivation it is all about having fun with our hobby, but it is also about operational excellence. Sebastian mentioned the many new users who get on the birds and don't operate correctly. It is up to all of us to be their elmers online and offline and make the new operators > good operators and good operators> better operators if our hobby is to survive. Thank you both for your kind and spirited opinions. Tim, I wish I could work you from my house in Spain from EA6 in JM09tb when I am there in October. Seems AO7 is just out of reach from the predictions I ran. Sebastian, I agree if there is a person who could work Japan on AO-51 it would be Tim, which I know is physically impossible. I appreciate all Tim has done and is doing for the hobby and the AMSAT community! Let's keep having fun and keep our arms open to new operators! 73, ;) Adrian AA5UK ZF2AE & ZF2AE/ZF8 ________________________________ From: Sebastian <w4as(a)bellsouth.net>. To: Adrian Engele <aa5uk(a)yahoo.com> Sent: Sunday, June 14, 2009 6:38:34 PM Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Re: equal time Adrian, first I would like to thank you for taking the time to operate from a DX location, in order to give others a chance to work you! Next, I think because of the things you have said, and the recent issue with the K5D operation, we have learned that attempting to put up a rare country on an FM satellite just doesn't work out. There are simply too many stations on AO-51. Why - because it's easy to do. SO-50 because of the timer and PL tones, is more difficult. A lot of hams don't realize that FO-29 is back in service, let alone AO-27; and AO-27 is only on for about half the pass on the USA. AO-16 has been off the air for months, and hopefully we will get it back sometime. The SSB birds are more difficult since it requires additional equipment, as opposed to an HT or two and a small handheld antenna (with the exception of Tim who could probably work Japan on AO-51 even though it's not in his footprint!) Tim knows I'm joking. AO-51 is over used. And yes there are a lot of people who may not necessarily run high power on there, but have large antennas of which I am one of. I won't apologize for having outdoor directional high gain antennas controlled by an LVB tracker. My antennas are from the days of AO-10 & AO-13, and I don't have the ability to change to RH, LH circular polarization; I use axial polarization. Yes there are some who are using handheld antennas with roughly the same amount of power that I am; but who's going to be heard (even with my 115 feet of LMR400)? Then there are those who believe it's a trivial task to setup a full duplex HT with a hand held antenna and be heard. It's not easy. I've tried it, and have concluded that it takes a lot of time to learn the 'tricks of the trade'. At least once a week, I hear a newcomer on one of the birds calling CQ. And people come back to them, but that newcomer can't hear them, because they aren't aware of doppler, etc. Then there are some who use 'high' power, I would say 50+ watts, but perhaps they need that power because they are using vertical antennas or eggbeaters, with 150 feet of RG-58 Radio Shack coax. And there are some who either use high power, or have defective rigs (or both), and make it difficult for others to hear due to their spurious emissions because they want to have more contacts than anyone else. So what's the answer. Those who aren't active on the birds because they are fed up will say we need a HEO. Those that are active on the birds don't have to say anything. They already know the problem. I would like for someone to explain to me why they disagree that what we really need are more LEOs. 73 de W4AS Sebastian On Jun 14, 2009, at 6:03 PM, Adrian Engele wrote: > As many of you know I operated as ZF2AE from EK99 back in late March and early April during my vacation from Grand Cayman and Little Cayman. I received numerous direct requests to have a sked as EK99 was needed for their VUCC awards. I made a big effort to meet all these requests received prior or during that trip and in most instances I was successful. As a portable, I worked AO-51 and SO-50 with just an Arrow Antenna with an ARR preamp and 5W with my VX7R. I also worked other stations on AO-7, FO-29 and VU52 using the same setup but with my FT857D with 10 Watts instead. Let me tell you setting up as a portable station to work the linear birds is time consuming and required a big effort everytime. I was on vacation and Hamradio was a secondary activity. > > After my return, I went through my recordings it was clear that there were many missed opportunities to work certain stations for their requested skeds . Why was this? In most cases, it came down to stations both domestic and international that are NOT LISTENING or not leaving enough space between calls. Also it was clear these same stations were calling the same stations day in and day out. What is the sport in this, working the same stations and the same grids over and over again; especially when a DXpedition is ongoing and others need to work that grid. I had numerous passes where I could not get once into an FM satellite during a planned sked. In some cases, I only managed one or two contacts. It was frustrating to say the least. Out of the 45+ passes I completed during my trip there was only one satellite pass that was disciplined, operators listened, called in order and over 15 contacts were worked in sequence with zero interference and many happy > operators. > > I encourage operators with deluxe satellite stations running power with full computer and rotation tracking to let more modest stations have their fair share of opportunities to get into the satellites. You may disagree with this concept, but I would like to remind the readers the FCC mandates that minimum power should be used to make at all times in to establish a contact. > > During my trip and upon my return, I received countless emails and QSL cards thanking me for activating a new country and a new grid. In the end, that was the biggest satisfaction of the whole DXpedition giving out a new one! > > 73, > > Adrian > AA5UK > ZF2AE & ZF2AE/ZF8

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Satellites operation
by Julie & Stephen 15 Jun '09

15 Jun '09

New to SAT – BB (one week) Could I please ask – how many SATs are currently active carrying transponder for amateur radio voice communication. And the designators as called (such as AO-7, AO-51 etc) and which SATs are linear (SSB / CW) and non linear (FM) Regards, Stephen ZL1TPH

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